SAVING ANIMALS: SOME EASIER THAN OTHERS; SOME HUMANS ARE KINDER

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY FEB. 12-13, 2025 [PetPowellPress] Ah, Dear Readers, I long ago lost-count of the number of excited Metroplex dog and cat rescuers that I've encountered since I started writing about DFW area animals in the previous century. 
A few years ago, readlarrypowell.com encountered the volunteer dog-writers from Mesquite Animal Services.
They don't just "meet" the animals, they get to know them so readers of the shelter's website will know about them. Romps in the shelter exercise yard, petting and treats get-acquainted sessions and discussions that ask, "How ya doing?" (sometimes from the animal, as you know!)
This opening for our midweek edition is inspired by a followup note regarding the blind and ailing dog Blanche who was on the clock and beat it. She's en route to Michigan now, earlier messages reported.
Our note comes from Blanche's biographer Debra Chisholm, the volunteer dog-writer who first introduced us to the plight of Blanche early in the week: Stray, sick, blind and on a deadline with the needle.
You've by now noticed that going-for-a-ride photo of Blanche. Debra writes, "Larry: Wanted to give you an update on Blanche. Here she is on her freedom ride and update on how she did last night. This truly was a good save! The rescue that saved her is Bullluvable Paws at www.bullluvablepaws.com if you hear of anyone who would like to make a donation. ..."
Debra also included this: "Here’s what Missy Redding (at Bull Luvable Paws) www.bullluvablepaws.com said about Blanche:
"She is a real gem!! She got a much needed bath and her nails done.
She got her UTI med and some dinner. She’s great on a leash and a trooper in the bath!! She gets her insulin after dinner and a walk before bed.  She’s really perfect. More photos later!"
BEFORE WE MOVE ON from Mesquite Animal Shelter's animals-in-need, we'll cite the WAY TO LINK TO THE SHELTER'S ANIMALS HERE. That'll take you to the available adorables and it, also, will take you to the biographies of the animals -- those typed snapshots of the animals give you a personal bio of the animals needing homes.
And still waiting in the "Conference Room" at the Shelter. is this magnificent cat -- #57584299 goes by the name "Wasabi."
[LARRY ASIDE: We believe he is the only cat we've written about who was named for a mustard. We did notice during the Tuesday night Westminster Dog Show broadcast we're almost certain there was a little dog named Wasabi. I was going to name one of my Twins Wasabi, but that was in January 1971 and I didn't want to challenge the good nature of the "traditionalists" in the family. So, the boys are Ketchup and Eggs. I'm kidding.]
MEANWHILE IN OKLAHOMA,
A CAT AND TERRY LYNN -- COPING
Our longtime animal tipster from Burns Flat, Okla., Terry Lynn Fisher, sent a really tough message -- an appeal for help -- and we got an update before we could post that appeal.
On Tuesday, Terry Lynn reports, "I ran home at lunch to let my dogs out. While there, a man came up to my door with a cat. He said he watched it get hit up on the highway, and the car never even slowed down."
At that point, Terry Lynn reported the cat was "injured pretty bad, panting pretty heavily. You can see on the left side there’s something going on right there, severe swelling, and the cat is in pretty bad pain.
"I have no place for cats, I have too many foster dogs at my home ...
"I called my vet and the man is driving it over there to drop it off. I’m hoping we can save it, but not sure. I just know I can’t let it just lay there.  
"It did have a collar on, so I’m hoping we can find an owner that cares enough to take care of it. If not, I’ll figure out what to do from there."
So, WEDNESDAY MORNNG, Dear Readers, Readlarrypowell emailed Terry Lynn to see how things were working out. At least the cat is no longer in pain.
Terry Lynn, who has saved hundreds of animals -- dogs and cats and others -- in her mission in far west Oklahoma, sent me a heart-breaking response.
She wrote, "Sadly, we helped her pass. She had six broken ribs, and one had punctured through her lung two different times. Her pelvis was shattered and her back was broken. Four different spots. The vet said there would never be a full recovery, and he honestly felt euthanasia was the best for her. It hurts my heart but at least I know she didn’t lay there and suffer any longer than when we found her."
To thank Terry Lynn for trying to help this cat and so many other animals, email her at [email protected].
There must have been some Divine guidance getting that terribly injured and hurting cat to The Angel of Burns Flat, Okla. Bless that little cat and Terry Lynn, too.
CONTEMPLATIONS
A CAT THOUGHT & OTHER NOTES
Let's talk cats. Based on my years of observation at readlarrypowell.com, my theory is there should be no such thing as "indoor/outdoor cats." Just keep 'em safely inside the home they share with humans. There are too many speeding cars, too many predatory hawks, too many hungry free-roaming dogs and coyotes, too many idiot humans with pellet guns and a desire to prove they can shoot an animal to death. Plus, cats do screwy things when they're allowed to roam neighborhoods. They crawl into automobile engine compartments to get warm and get shredded, instead. I could go on and on, but sometimes I wear out my typing fingers trying to preach humans into the mission of being responsible in the 21st Century. Pardon my preachng, please -- larry...
Cats -- Born to Be Loved, Not Born To Be Wild. Somebody cue the music, ....
May the warmth of a sweet spring day soon replace the toe-freezing inclination of Winter, 2025. First day of spring? March 20. I'm sure it'll be warmer by then. Almost sure.
---- Offer cat tips and cautions by clicking on 'comment' below or by emailing [email protected] and put 'CATS NEED SAFE HAVENS' in the subject line. ----